Born in Phoenix, Arizona, to a military mother, Kortney Jamaal “Mali Music” Pollard moved around a lot as a child before settling in Savannah, Georgia. It was there Mali established roots in his local church, and his dedicated love for gospel music and performing were born. He longed to play the keyboard in the church’s band and the fact that he didn’t know how to, did not stop him. “I didn’t even have the ability to play the piano, but I knew that I had a gift and a level of excellence set in me by the spirit of God,” he says. “I was one of the kids waiting in line to play the keyboard and drums with six guys in front of me. I just had this urge to serve the Lord with my music.”
At the age of 11, a pastor finally gave him the opportunity he yearned for. “He gave me the chance to play although I knew nothing,” Mali remembers. “I live for the Lord, so I didn’t even care if learning to play was difficult or not.” He joined the band, and taught himself to play the keyboards and drums. By 12 years old, Mali was creating and arranging his own material as his church’s minister of music, never missing a single rehearsal or church service. It was that drive, resolve, and focus that would eventually bust open doors for Mali.
Mali Music is a gospel artist first and foremost, but he will not be put in a box. He loves the freedom of creating amazing music, no matter if it has a gospel, R&B, hip-hop, or rock feel to it. As long as it lifts the soul, that’s all that matters. “What I love the most about my career overall, is the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to deliver sentiments that I am OK with living on forever,” says Mali. “I’m so happy with my work and so pleased with the music I’ve been able to release. I have the chance to continue the work and that is a blessing from God.”
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Born in Phoenix, Arizona, to a military mother, Kortney Jamaal “Mali Music” Pollard moved around a lot as a child before settling in Savannah, Georgia. It was there Mali established roots in his local church, and his dedicated love for gospel music and performing were born. He longed to play the keyboard in the church’s band and the fact that he didn’t know how to, did not stop him. “I didn’t even have the ability to play the piano, but I knew that I had a gift and a level of excellence set in me by the spirit of God,” he says. “I was one of the kids waiting in line to play the keyboard and drums with six guys in front of me. I just had this urge to serve the Lord with my music.”
At the age of 11, a pastor finally gave him the opportunity he yearned for. “He gave me the chance to play although I knew nothing,” Mali remembers. “I live for the Lord, so I didn’t even care if learning to play was difficult or not.” He joined the band, and taught himself to play the keyboards and drums. By 12 years old, Mali was creating and arranging his own material as his church’s minister of music, never missing a single rehearsal or church service. It was that drive, resolve, and focus that would eventually bust open doors for Mali.
Mali Music is a gospel artist first and foremost, but he will not be put in a box. He loves the freedom of creating amazing music, no matter if it has a gospel, R&B, hip-hop, or rock feel to it. As long as it lifts the soul, that’s all that matters. “What I love the most about my career overall, is the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to deliver sentiments that I am OK with living on forever,” says Mali. “I’m so happy with my work and so pleased with the music I’ve been able to release. I have the chance to continue the work and that is a blessing from God.”